Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Fujimura

• The schedule of the expert hearing on the Imperial Household system

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: I would like to brief you on the schedule of the expert hearing on the Imperial Household system, which is as stated in the material in front of you. The expert hearing will be convened for the sixth time. Next month, on July 5, we will hear the opinions of two people: Dr. Isao Tokoro, Professor Emeritus at Kyoto Sangyo University, and Mr. Hidetsugu Yagi, Professor at Takasaki City University of Economics. With regard to the schedule of the expert hearings thereafter, I will make an announcement each time that a decision is made. Regarding this matter, I ask that you forward your questions to the Secretariat, which is the Office for the Preparation of the Revision of the Imperial House Act within the Cabinet Secretariat.

Q&As

• The Northern Territories issue
• Consideration on deploying Ospreys of the U.S. forces to Okinawa
• The presidential election in Egypt

(Abridged)

REPORTER: A news agency in the Sakhalin region of Russia has reported that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia is planning a visit to Etorofu Island next month. Can you discuss the facts which the Government knows about in relation to this matter?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: What the Government knows is within the scope of what we are aware of based on the news reports. Generally speaking, any visit by a Russian Government VIP to the Four Northern Islands conflicts with Japan's position on the territorial issue, and at this moment in time, we will not make any further comments. What we know is within the scope of what we are aware of from the news reports.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: Is the Government making any inquiries and so on with the Russian Government and others with regard to the facts?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: It is a fact that the Government is engaged in such activities as collecting information through bilateral channels. However, I repeat to say that I will refrain from answering any questions on the specific contents.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: It seems that the United States (U.S.) Government told the Japanese Government that it has no intention of changing the plan with regard to the deployment of Ospreys. Is my understanding correct that the Japanese Government will proceed with providing explanations to the local community as before?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: As you just said "as before," let me discuss this briefly. First, on June 22, U.S. time, director-level officials from the Ministry of Defense and other personnel were briefed on the CV-22 and MV-22 accidents and have returned to Japan. I understand that the content of this information, which was provided, is precisely now, at this moment, being assessed and analyzed at the Ministry of Defense. In any case, the relevant ministers will carefully consider Japan's response going forward based on this assessment and analysis of the information.

(Abridged)

REPORTER: In the presidential election which was held in Egypt, an Islamist, Dr. Mohamed Morsi, was elected for the first time. Can you share the thoughts of the Japanese Government?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY FUJIMURA: In the context of the historic transformation in Egypt, Japan welcomes the election of Dr. Morsi, the leader of the Freedom and Justice Party, as the new President through a peaceful and fair election on June 24. Japan expects that, as scheduled, a transition of power from military rule to a presidential system will take place at the end of the month, and that through sincere political dialogue between the political powers in Egypt, the issues surrounding the legislature and the establishment of a new constitution, for example, will come to a halt and a complete transition to civilian rule will take place swiftly. In addition, Japan hopes that Egypt will continue to contribute to the peace and stability of the region.

(Abridged)